Aydarovo: Memorial and Hiking Route

In Aydarovo, remembrance is at the heart of the town: a memorial in the centre commemorates the local residents who did not return from the war. Nearby, a challenging section of the “Bolshaya Voronezhskaya ekologicheskaya tropa” hiking trail also runs through the area. This offers two distinct options for planning your visit: the town itself and a longer day’s hike in the surrounding area.

Aydarovo and the “Chertovitskaya Tropa”

The memorial to the local residents who did not return from the war stands in the centre of Aydarovo. Its connection to the town’s history makes it a specific place to visit if you would like to get to know Aydarovo itself.

The nearby “Chertovitskaya Tropa” section passes through “Nagornaya Dubrava”. It runs from the beach on the Voronezh River in the area of the village of Chertovitsy to a junction with an unpaved track near Aydarovo. The route is 10.3 kilometres long, crosses challenging terrain and takes five to six hours. Set aside a large part of the day for it: this hike is more of a standalone activity than a short add-on.

Other Nature and Cultural Destinations in Voronezh Oblast

The Khopyor Nature Reserve in Voronezh Oblast offers various options for active days and nature-focused outings. The “Legends of the Khopyor” hiking excursion is five kilometres long and takes three hours; it is closed during spring floods. By comparison, the nearby route at Aydarovo takes five to six hours. If you prefer cycling, the reserve has the 26-kilometre “Tour de Khopyor”, which is listed as taking four hours. The Natural History Museum complements these excursions with exhibitions on the reserve’s wildlife and habitats. Two halls cover, among other things, beavers, the Russian desman, water-dwelling and predatory birds, as well as wild boar, elk, fallow deer and red deer. A large relief map shows the reserve. Check the visiting arrangements before going to the museum.

Chalk Landscapes and Prehistory

The “Divnogorye” Museum-Reserve in Voronezh Oblast is known for its chalk landscapes, including bizarre chalk formations on steep slopes and large, ridge-like chalk ravines. Divnogorskiy Canyon is about one kilometre long and up to 200 metres wide. The chalk massif on the right bank of the Tikhaya Sosna and Don rivers also contains six cult caves and cave complexes, extending over approximately 8.5 kilometres. The reserve includes Stone Age settlements, the ruins of the medieval Mayatskaya Fortress and cave complexes. The Stone Age is recreated at the “Palaeolithic Workshops”, where workshops on making stone tools are also held.

Another distinctive site in Voronezh Oblast is the cave church in honour of the Sicilian Icon of the Mother of God in Bolshiye Divy. It is carved into the base of a chalk cliff and has two levels connected by a stairway. The walk to the cave Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist in Malye Divy crosses the grounds of the “Divnogorye” Museum-Reserve on foot and takes 30 to 40 minutes. Access to the church is arranged by appointment with the monastery’s pilgrimage service.

The “Kostenki” Museum-Reserve in Voronezh Oblast also brings landscape and archaeology together. It covers nine hectares and includes 25 protected zones with around 60 Upper Palaeolithic sites. The Archaeological Museum building completely covers a Stone Age settlement site. At “Kostenki”, the archaeological sites and their setting are thus both central to the visit.

The History of Horse Breeding at the Khrenovskoye Stud Farm

The Khrenovskoye Stud Farm lies in the southeast of Voronezh Oblast and is considered the birthplace of the Orlov Trotter and Russia’s oldest stud farm. Count Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov-Chesmensky founded it on 24 October 1776. The historic stables and modern horse boxes are among the stops described for a visit; visitors can also see Orlov Trotters. The Horse Breeding Museum displays old breeding books, the breed’s family tree, as well as horse blankets and cups and medals won by the stud farm’s horses at racetracks in Russia and abroad. Tours take place daily but must be arranged in advance. Confirm your visiting time with the operator before travelling.

Choose a Holiday Apartment Based on Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Aydarovo, it is worth deciding what you want to focus on: will your stay be mainly about Aydarovo and the challenging hiking section nearby, or are you planning time for other nature and cultural destinations in Voronezh Oblast? The range of themes and time required offers practical guidance for choosing your destination area and accommodation.

Discover More Travel Destinations

Discover more travel destinations: Liski, Novoaleksandrovka, Boguchar, Medovka, Petropavlovka, Polyana, Voronezh, Solnechnyy.

Back to the main travel overview: Voronezh Oblast.